RICH SQUARE – Thomas Eugene Brown, age 85, died Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

He was born in Northampton County where he has lived all of his life. Mr. Brown was a life time member of Rich Square United Methodist Church. He was married to the love of his life for 62 years and to this marriage was born seven children. Thomas was a loving husband, father, and grandfather to his family. Mr. Brown followed in his father’s footsteps as a rural mail carrier. He retired from dairy farming and always kept a passion for growing things. Thomas loved people and never met a stranger. To those that knew him knew he would do anything he could for anyone in need.

Mr. Brown was preceded in death by his parents, Bertha Peele and Everette Brown; one daughter, Betsy Brown Chandler; two sisters; Margaret Dunning and Louise Womble; and one brother, James “Doc” Everette Brown.

Surviving Mr. Brown is his wife, Mildred Brown of the home; three daughters, Anne Brown of Rich Square, Jenny Brown of Hilton Head, SC, and Lou Brown and husband, Jack Knight, of Chapel Hill; three sons, Tom Brown and wife, Viva, of Rich Square, David Brown and wife, Ann, of Jackson, and John Brown and wife, Joella, of Jackson; grandchildren, Meghan Brown, Lyndal White and husband Thadd, Parker Brown, Amelia Brown, and Benjamin Knight; and great grandchildren, Alex and Camden White.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Rich Square United Methodist Church, Rich Square, with the Rev. Rob Licht officiating. Burial followed at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Rich Square.

The family will receive friends at any time at the home of Mr. Brown’s daughter, Anne, 2264 NC Hwy 305, Rich Square.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Rich Square United Methodist Church, PO Box 312, Rich Square, NC 27869

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Rich Square, handled the arrangements for the Brown family and online condolences may be directed to them at www.garrettsykesfs.com